Papua New Guinea's Internet Shut Down Sparks Nationwide Anger Over Lack of Access to Key Services.
The decision by Papua New Guinea's National Information and Communications Technology Authority (Nicta) to shut down internet services provided by Starlink, a satellite internet company owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has sent shockwaves across the country. Weeks after the shutdown, frustrations are growing as businesses, healthcare providers, and communities struggle without access to crucial online services.
The move was made due to Nicta's assertion that Starlink did not have the necessary licenses to operate in Papua New Guinea. The authority's acting chief executive, Lume Polume, stated that until the legal process is complete, services cannot be allowed. However, no timeline has been provided for when a directive will be issued.
The shutdown has had devastating effects on rural communities, where Starlink was a vital lifeline. Analysts estimate that before the shutdown, thousands of people used the service, including entire villages or districts in remote areas with unreliable mobile networks.
Businessman John Simon described the shutdown as "really bad" for Papua New Guinea, stating that it ignored the struggles of ordinary people and small businesses. The closure has disrupted online banking and other essential services, forcing farmers and traders to travel long distances to towns.
Health workers have also expressed concerns over the impact on their work, with some clinics unable to send reports quickly due to the shutdown. "For patients who need urgent care, these delays can be dangerous," said Theresa Juni, a health worker from East Sepik province.
The country's communication minister declined to comment on the issue. Meanwhile, about 200 people have signed an online petition calling for Starlink to be allowed to operate legally.
The decision by Papua New Guinea's National Information and Communications Technology Authority (Nicta) to shut down internet services provided by Starlink, a satellite internet company owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has sent shockwaves across the country. Weeks after the shutdown, frustrations are growing as businesses, healthcare providers, and communities struggle without access to crucial online services.
The move was made due to Nicta's assertion that Starlink did not have the necessary licenses to operate in Papua New Guinea. The authority's acting chief executive, Lume Polume, stated that until the legal process is complete, services cannot be allowed. However, no timeline has been provided for when a directive will be issued.
The shutdown has had devastating effects on rural communities, where Starlink was a vital lifeline. Analysts estimate that before the shutdown, thousands of people used the service, including entire villages or districts in remote areas with unreliable mobile networks.
Businessman John Simon described the shutdown as "really bad" for Papua New Guinea, stating that it ignored the struggles of ordinary people and small businesses. The closure has disrupted online banking and other essential services, forcing farmers and traders to travel long distances to towns.
Health workers have also expressed concerns over the impact on their work, with some clinics unable to send reports quickly due to the shutdown. "For patients who need urgent care, these delays can be dangerous," said Theresa Juni, a health worker from East Sepik province.
The country's communication minister declined to comment on the issue. Meanwhile, about 200 people have signed an online petition calling for Starlink to be allowed to operate legally.
. I mean, what's next? Shutting down all mobile networks just because some licenses aren't in order? It sounds like they're more concerned with following rules than with serving the people.
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this is so unfair to rural communities they were relying on that internet service and now its all shut down... 
. Businesses and healthcare providers just have to deal with it, I guess. It's not like they didn't see this coming... PNG always seems to find new ways to disappoint 
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I just don't get why they can't find a way to make internet work in rural areas already! It's like, we've had mobiles and all that, but at least with Starlink, people could actually get online when they needed it. Now, farmers are stuck without access to important info for their crops and traders have to travel ages to get into towns...it just doesn't seem right 
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, I mean, it's time Papua New Guinea took a hard look at its internet policies and made sure everyone follows the rules, you know? It's not like people were being exploited by Starlink or anything. The fact that small businesses and rural communities are struggling is probably just an excuse for them to get more subsidies from the government. And let's be real, the health workers who can't send reports quickly are probably just using their downtime to catch up on some Netflix shows 
. I mean, what's a few days of internet outages when you can have reliable infrastructure? And those 200 people signing that petition are just trying to stir up trouble, imo 
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whats going on in papua new guinea?? they're basically shutting down internet services and it's not just a minor thing its affecting so many lives - farmers gotta travel all the way to towns to do their banking, health workers can't send reports on time which is super critical...and now ppl are signing online petitions 
like we need more proof of what's at stake lol. when did tech companies start getting involved in gov regulations? its a whole mess over here 
. Can't have some private company just waltzing in and making their own laws, that's not how it works 
. And let's be honest, Starlink is a new player in the game, what if they're gonna start charging us an arm and a leg for their services? 
It's not ideal, but I think Nicta has every right to crack down until everything is on the level 
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I'm so worried about the people in Papua New Guinea who are struggling without internet access. It's like they're being cut off from the rest of the world! 
Those rural communities rely on that service for everything, and it's just not fair to take it away. 
It's heartbreaking to think about the farmers and traders who are being affected by this shutdown. 
And the health workers who have to deal with delayed reports... it's just not okay. 
What are they going to do? 
. These delays can be life-threatening. I mean, if someone needs urgent care and they can't get online reports, what does that even say about our healthcare system? We should be investing in infrastructure, not playing politics with our citizens' lives. 
The impact on rural communities is huge – think people who relied on Starlink for banking, healthcare, and education, all gone in an instant. It's not just about the tech, it's about access to basic services that everyone needs.
. I mean, come on! The health workers are talking about patients' lives being put at risk because of delayed reports – how harsh can you be? 
. Shutting down internet services like that is just not right. I mean, think about all the people who rely on it for their businesses, healthcare, and daily lives. It's like taking away a lifeline 
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. And what's with the lack of a timeline for when this will get sorted out? 
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